Driving Range Tips

[zebrasinamerica]

Lately I have found myself really rushing while at the driving range, I will start out hitting the ball very consistant and solid and by the end of the session I'm going through balls very quickly. I was wondering if anyone could give some tips to help me keep a decent tempo at the range so I dont look like a machine gun out there hitting fat and thin and fat and thin and so on.

thanks in advance for the advice

ZEBRA

[niblick]

Ah, the old "rake and beat" syndrome. Very easy habit to fall into. Here's what I do to combat it, as I have the same tendency:

1. Think of your time at the range as a chance to practice playing golf, not just practice hitting balls. That means every shot should include your whole preshot routine which leads to number 2 >

2. Be target oriented. Pick a precise target for every shot, vizualize the shape of every shot, and watch each one hit the ground and stop. You'll get better feedback that way.

[Everardo]

1. Think of your time at the range as a chance to practice playing golf, not just practice hitting balls. That means every shot should include your whole preshot routine which leads to number 2 >

Along with the two things above I often divide my bucket into smaller piles of about 4-5 balls and I'll switch clubs with each pile. My thought is to practice smart not hard.

[YoungTom]

I really like to actually play simulated golf holes after I'm warmed up. I'll hit a driver, if it's a slice right, I'll punch out, then play a little chip up to the green. Or if I stripe one down the middle, I'll hit an approach, and if it's no good, I'll chip or pitch one. On course you hardly ever hit the same club twice, so why do it at the range when you're practicing?

I've found this to be a good way to really focus and be target oriented.

[Everardo]

I really like to actually play simulated golf holes after I'm warmed up. I'll hit a driver, if it's a slice right, I'll punch out, then play a little chip up to the green. Or if I stripe one down the middle, I'll hit an approach, and if it's no good, I'll chip or pitch one. On course you hardly ever hit the same club twice, so why do it at the range when you're practicing?

Briand Mogg and Trip Isenhour did a demonstation of his warm-up routine the other night on the Golf Channel.....incorporating all the items listed in these posts.

[allin]

Along with the two things above I often divide my bucket into smaller piles of about 4-5 balls and I'll switch clubs with each pile. My thought is to practice smart not hard.

I also like to split my time in 15-20 minute increments. I shuttle between the putting and chipping areas and full swing areas. When I return to full swing area after chiping and putting I almost always hit the ball much better. One caveat about hitting shots at the range. When you are making a significant change in technique I feel that playing pretend holes before you have hit a fair number of shots working on the change slows progress.